"Saints/Satan"

There is a spiritual warfare going on between the saint (those sanctified in Christ Jesus - I Cor. 1:2) and Satan. Diving into learning all we can about Satan may not be the wisest move but we do need to know what our "adversary" (Satan) is after. Paul urged the Corinthians, "so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes." (II Corn. 2:11)

Satan is eager and looking for an opportunity to stir up a fleshly mindset or look for our gullibility. Let's face it, we do have the capacity of being deceived! "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (II Cor.11:3) Satan took advantage of Eve's mind set and questioned God's veracity, bolding stating "you will not die!" Then stirring a little further, Satan sweetened the thought process with the assurance, "your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God knowing good and evil." (Gen. 3:5) Satan was trying to gain an advantage and stirred her mind. Satan is ready and willing to lie to gain an advantage over the saint.

In dealing with our mind-set, Paul urges the saint in a list of things to dwell on, seeking after: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true..." (Phil. 4:8) We need to set our minds to seeking and searching out truth. Setting our minds on what is true is a must if we are going to be protected from gullibility! Satan is a liar and will stir our minds to things that aren't true while making us believe they are. That's the real danger for the saint. How do we know what is true? Line things up with the word of the Lord and go no further!

Satan tells the saint that he can be self-sufficient! I'm sure you have heard it that we don't need the church to have a personal relationship with the Lord! In the eyes of some, you don't need to worship with the church because you can do it in your own home. Jesus said the church is His body! To be attached to Jesus one must be attached to His body and His body (as our physical bodies) work together in harmony.

Satan distracts the saint with things of the world, lusts and pride. Satan attempts to lie to the saint by trying to bring assurance they have plenty of time to get their lives right. Satan is an adversary and he is looking to take advantage over us through any means possible. We need to be aware, keeping our eyes open and heart in tune with the Lord. That's why daily we need to have God's armor put in place (Eph. 6:10-17).